My Journey as an AIDS Nurse: A Personal and Professional Account

I have been an AIDS nurse for over 20 years. I have seen the disease evolve from a death sentence to a manageable chronic condition. I have also seen the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS decrease, but there is still a lot of work to be done.

My Journey as an AIDS Nurse

by Cheri Dostal Ryba

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	8319 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	251 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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In the early days of the AIDS epidemic, there was a lot of fear and uncertainty. People didn't know how the disease was transmitted or how to prevent it. As a result, people with HIV/AIDS were often ostracized and discriminated against. I remember one patient who was fired from his job after his boss found out he was HIV-positive. He was also evicted from his apartment and lost all of his friends.

Today, there is still a lot of stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS, but it is not as bad as it was in the early days of the epidemic. People are more aware of the disease and how to prevent it. As a result, people with HIV/AIDS are less likely to be discriminated against.

However, there is still a lot of work to be done. HIV/AIDS is still a major public health problem, and there is no cure. In 2018, there were an estimated 37.9 million people living with HIV worldwide. Of those, 1.7 million were children under the age of 15.

The majority of people living with HIV/AIDS are in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2018, there were an estimated 25.7 million people living with HIV in the region. Women and girls are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. In sub-Saharan Africa, women and girls account for 59% of all new HIV infections.

There are a number of challenges to fighting HIV/AIDS. One challenge is the lack of access to treatment. In 2018, only 62% of people living with HIV had access to antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART is a combination of drugs that can suppress the virus and prevent it from damaging the immune system. Without ART, people with HIV/AIDS will eventually develop AIDS and die.

Another challenge to fighting HIV/AIDS is the stigma surrounding the disease. Stigma can prevent people from getting tested for HIV, accessing treatment, and disclosing their status to their partners. Stigma can also lead to discrimination, which can make it difficult for people with HIV/AIDS to live their lives to the fullest.

Despite the challenges, there has been significant progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS. In 2018, there were an estimated 1.7 million new HIV infections, down from 3.4 million in 2000. The number of AIDS-related deaths has also declined significantly. In 2018, there were an estimated 770,000 AIDS-related deaths, down from 1.9 million in 2000.

The progress that has been made in the fight against HIV/AIDS is due to the hard work of many people, including AIDS nurses. AIDS nurses provide a variety of services to people affected by HIV/AIDS, including:

• Providing medical care and treatment
• Offering counseling and support
• Educating people about HIV/AIDS
• Advocating for the rights of people with HIV/AIDS

AIDS nurses play a vital role in the fight against HIV/AIDS. They provide essential care and support to people affected by the disease, and they help to reduce the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS. I am proud to be an AIDS nurse, and I am committed to continuing the fight against this disease.

How to Get Involved in the Fight Against HIV/AIDS

There are a number of ways to get involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Here are a few ideas:

• Get tested for HIV. Knowing your status is the first step to getting treatment and preventing the spread of the disease.
• Volunteer your time at an AIDS service organization. There are many organizations that provide a variety of services to people affected by HIV/AIDS. Volunteering your time is a great way to make a difference in the lives of others.
• Donate to an AIDS research organization. Research is essential to developing new treatments and cures for HIV/AIDS. Donating to a research organization is a great way to support the fight against the disease.
• Educate yourself about HIV/AIDS. The more you know about the disease, the better equipped you will be to fight against it. There are many resources available online and in your community that can provide you with information about HIV/AIDS.
• Talk to your friends and family about HIV/AIDS. The more people who are aware of the disease, the better we can fight against it. Talk to your friends and family about HIV/AIDS, and encourage them to get tested and learn more about the disease.

The fight against HIV/AIDS is not over. There is still a lot of work to be done, but we are making progress. Together, we can end this disease.

My Journey as an AIDS Nurse

by Cheri Dostal Ryba

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	8319 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	251 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE